the Pacific Salmon

Explorer

www.salmonexplorer.ca

a data-driven look at salmon

populations and their habitats

The Pacific Salmon Explorer is an online data visualization tool that displays information on the status of salmon and their habitats throughout British Columbia.

The Pacific Salmon Explorer is the most comprehensive source of data for salmon in British Columbia (BC). Through a series of interactive maps and figures, users can track trends in abundance, catch, and productivity, and compare the status of salmon and their habitats across BC. This information is critical for identifying strategic conservation and management actions that support the persistence and recovery of wild salmon.

This tool was developed in collaboration with First Nations, federal and provincial governments, and other salmon experts. We are grateful for the deep knowledge that our partners have shared with us and for lending their expertise to help transform data governance for salmon in BC.

→ www.salmonexplorer.ca

What kind of information can I find on the Pacific Salmon Explorer?

Salmon Conservation Units We summarize the best available data for all geographically, genetically, and ecologically distinct groups of wild salmon populations, called Conservation Units (CUs). CU summaries provide access to 60+ years of data on spawner abundance, catch, and productivity.

Assessments of Habitat Status We evaluate the status of freshwater salmon habitats using twelve habitat pressure indicators. These indicators allow us to determine if habitats are facing high, moderate, or low risk of degradation. We also display the location of both existing and proposed major resource development projects, and where these projects intersect with freshwater salmon habitats.

Assessments of Biological Status We evaluate the biological status of salmon CUs by comparing estimates of current spawner abundance to biological benchmarks. These benchmarks allow us to determine if a CU’s status is healthy, fair, or poor. Where available, we also visualize status assessments completed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

Provincial Overview of Status and Trends We provide a summary of biological status and run size for salmon CUs across the province of BC.

Access to Source Datasets All of the data presented in the Pacific Salmon Explorer are freely available through our Salmon Data Library at data.salmonwatersheds.ca.

How does the Pacific Salmon Explorer support salmon conservation?

Salmon Recovery This tool was used in the most recent Recovery Potential Assessment for southern BC Chinook salmon undertaken by DFO. Experts used the tool to help evaluate the impact, scope, severity, and timing of future threats and identify recovery strategies and action plans for at-risk Chinook populations.

Strategic Conservation Planning This tool was used to summarize threats and identify conservation and management actions for mitigating these threats during recent Priority Threat Management exercises undertaken by First Nations, DFO, and academics for salmon CUs on BC’s Central Coast.

Fisheries Management & Policy Development The data and assessments shown in this tool have been used to inform the development of escapement goals for Nass and Skeena sockeye salmon under the Pacific Salmon Treaty.

Salmon Monitoring & Stewardship This tool is being used by the Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance and four Central Coast First Nations to inform the development of a First Nations-led Salmon Monitoring Framework on BC’s Central Coast.

The Pacific Salmon Explorer was developed with funding provided by

the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Government of Canada’s

Coastal Restoration Fund and Habitat Stewardship Program.

Photographs by Paul Colangelo, illustrations by Aimée van Drimmelen.

Copyright © 2020 PSF Salmon Watersheds Program. Updated September 2020.

Contact us at info@salmonwatersheds.ca,

and visit the program website at www.salmonwatersheds.ca.